Believe it or not our Turboprop trainers are in service now since 2004. In 2015 the then minister (who is the current minister) stated they were to serve until 2025. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20350477.html
With everything going on in the world is it time to start the process? Could take 2-3 years for anything to go from contract to delivery, and that is after the usually lengthy tender process has completed.
The type has done well, but the tandem configuration was probably unnecessary, when every aircraft the pilot will lead into is side by side seating.
So given the other discussion on the identified need for an intercept capability, is a LIFT aircraft a given? If we go with LIFT, do we then need a basic flying training aircraft? For example is a PC21 too much aircraft for a student pilot? Is it possible to put someone with zero flying experience into the front seat of a TA50 or M346?
Should we have a Basic flying training aircraft, screen pilots early on to heli or Multi engine, send some to fast jets/LIFT, if we do go down that road? Or given our good relationship with Pilatus, is the PC21 enough for anything that could be asked of it?
With everything going on in the world is it time to start the process? Could take 2-3 years for anything to go from contract to delivery, and that is after the usually lengthy tender process has completed.
The type has done well, but the tandem configuration was probably unnecessary, when every aircraft the pilot will lead into is side by side seating.
So given the other discussion on the identified need for an intercept capability, is a LIFT aircraft a given? If we go with LIFT, do we then need a basic flying training aircraft? For example is a PC21 too much aircraft for a student pilot? Is it possible to put someone with zero flying experience into the front seat of a TA50 or M346?
Should we have a Basic flying training aircraft, screen pilots early on to heli or Multi engine, send some to fast jets/LIFT, if we do go down that road? Or given our good relationship with Pilatus, is the PC21 enough for anything that could be asked of it?
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